Mexico Cancún Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Cancún is very-high
December is very-high for Cancún.
December is dry season recovery + year-peak tourist crush. Christmas-New Year week (Dec 22-Jan 2) brings year's maximum hotel pricing (+50-100% above shoulder), peak crowds at every attraction, and the famous NYE Hotel Zone fireworks party (beach fireworks at midnight, beachfront parties, mariachi bands).
Weather conditions return to near-peak January quality: 7 rainy days, 100mm rainfall, sea calm and clear, Chichén Itzá visibility excellent. December 1-19 is smart-money window: dry-season weather, pre-Christmas pricing, normal crowds before the holiday crush hits.
Travel score
Dry season + Christmas-NYE peak — year's busiest crush
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 82°F / 28°C highs and 70°F / 21°C lows with 7 rainy days and 100mm rainfall — full dry season return. Humidity 78%. UV 8. Sunshine 7 hours. Sea 27°C ideal for swimming. Christmas Eve + Christmas Day + NYE atmospheric peak.
December Travel Advice
Christmas-NYE week (Dec 22-Jan 2): book 8-12 weeks ahead, expect +50-100% premium. Dec 1-19 is smart window — same weather, 60% of holiday pricing. NYE Hotel Zone beach fireworks party: book sunset gala + fireworks-viewing package 6+ weeks ahead. Adult-only Playa Mujeres for honeymoon NYE.
Flying In from Overseas
Year-peak inbound from all Northern Hemisphere markets. Direct flights from NYC $500-900, Toronto $600-1,100, London $700-1,200, Madrid $750-1,300. Korean + Japanese winter holiday begins via LAX. Most expensive flight window of the year.
December Pricing Trends
Year-peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 2: Hotel Zone all-inclusive 4-star $400-800/night per couple, Playa Mujeres adult-only $1,000-2,000, Ritz-Carlton + Nizuc $1,200-2,800. Dec 1-19: 40-50% less than holiday week.
Cancún December Weather Stats
Avg High
28°C
Avg Low
21°C
Rainy Days
7
100mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
78%
humid
UV Index
8
Very high
Wind
16 km/h
Gusts 30
Sea Temp
27°C
swimming-warm
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
35 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
30°C
Nighttime
22°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
16 km/h
Max gust 30 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dry season + ideal weather
- Christmas-NYE festive atmosphere
- Hotel Zone NYE fireworks spectacle
- Sea 27°C ideal for swimming
Cons
- Year-peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 2 (+50-100%)
- Year's biggest tourist crush
- Reservation impossibility post-Christmas
December Events & Festivals
- **Christmas Eve + Christmas Day (Mexican family holiday — restaurants run special menus)**
- **NYE Hotel Zone fireworks** (massive beach party + fireworks at midnight)
- Year-peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 2
Cancún in December — Full Picture
December is dry season recovery + year-peak tourist crush. Christmas-New Year week (Dec 22-Jan 2) brings year's maximum hotel pricing (+50-100% above shoulder), peak crowds at every attraction, and the famous NYE Hotel Zone fireworks party (beach fireworks at midnight, beachfront parties, mariachi bands).
Weather conditions return to near-peak January quality: 7 rainy days, 100mm rainfall, sea calm and clear, Chichén Itzá visibility excellent. December 1-19 is smart-money window: dry-season weather, pre-Christmas pricing, normal crowds before the holiday crush hits.
NYE Hotel Zone beach party + fireworks is iconic Cancún experience — adult-only resorts (Le Blanc, Excellence Playa Mujeres) run sunset gala dinners + fireworks-viewing packages.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Tropical perfect — T-shirt, shorts, swimwear, sandals. Light jacket for evening sea breeze + Christmas Eve restaurants. Festive attire for NYE Hotel Zone fireworks party.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
31.7°C
23°C
5.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
33°C
25°C
9.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
30.7°C
23.3°C
10.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current28.3°C
21°C
6.3/mo
Cancún Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 28° | 21° | 7d·100mm | 8h | 78% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 29° | 21° | 5d·60mm | 9h | 76% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 30° | 22° | 4d·50mm | 9h | 75% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 32° | 23° | 4d·50mm | 10h | 75% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
| 33° | 24° | 8d·130mm | 9h | 76% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 10d·150mm | 8h | 80% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 9d·130mm | 9h | 80% | 12 | Busy | Peak | |
| 33° | 25° | 10d·140mm | 9h | 80% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 25° | 12d·200mm | 7h | 81% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 23° | 12d·200mm | 7h | 80% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| November (Best) | 29° | 22° | 8d·100mm | 8h | 78% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| December (Best) | 28° | 21° | 7d·100mm | 7h | 78% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Cancún December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Cancún?
Cancún in December is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Cancún in December?
Cancún December averages a high of 28°C and a low of 21°C.
Does it rain much in Cancún in December?
Cancún December averages 100mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in Cancún in December?
Tropical perfect — T-shirt, shorts, swimwear, sandals. Light jacket for evening sea breeze + Christmas Eve restaurants. Festive attire for NYE Hotel Zone fireworks party.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Cancún in December?
Cancún December sunrise is 06:30 and sunset is 17:35, with 11h 5min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Cancún in December?
Cancún December air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Cancún in December?
In December, Cancún is great for Beach + swimming, Chichén Itzá, Christmas Eve dinner cruise.
Is December peak season in Cancún?
Cancún December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Cancún
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.